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Food for thought!

If I wanted my actual name to appear all over the internet, I'd have used it for my on-line name. I NEVER post my name publicly in threads. Each individual person makes a conscious decision when they create an online user-name & they have their own personal reasons for the names they choose to post under; granted, a small percentage do use all or part of their given name. Those who do know me personally know my name, but they respect the fact that I chose an on-line alias & when they refer to me publicly they use all of part of my user-name.

I feel it's both rude & potentially dangerous for anyone to drop peoples' real names into public posts....it's one thing if they've chosen to use their name publicly or if they choose to sign posts with their given name; it's an entirely different scenario for someone else to "out them" or to expose their true identity publicly for their own personal reasons or sheer thoughtlessness. As incredible as it may sound, there are actually people I have absolutely no interest to meet in person, a few people I'd actually AVOID meeting....people I wouldn't want to know where to find me or how to track me down. Granted, they are in the minority! I've met a lot of genuinely good people in person & correspond with several privately. So for me, it's not that I have anything to hide, it's an involuntary loss of privacy, it's respect for others, not abusing the privilege of knowing something about someone & respecting their choice to decide for their own reasons who they want to share with.

If you have someone's express blanket permission to use their name, or to post their picture that's outside the scope of what I'm talking about. I'm talking about violating someones' privacy for whatever reason....willfully....innocently.... thoughtlessly....hurtfully.

I choose who learns my real identity for my own personal reasons & I've even been know to sign my online name on personal messages until I feel comfortable sharing my real identity.

I cringe every time I see someone's true identity thoughtlessly disclosed. Please consider the potential negative implications of name-dropping or "outing" people publicly.

I only have to wonder what prompted your post. Seems to me to be a bit extraordinary, given that it seems to have occurred in a vacuum. Privacy is certainly something to be enjoyed. However, when one goes forth and shares multitudes of thoughts, experiences and information in a public forum, they may just consider that they may no longer be the shadow.

My post wasn't created in a vacuum....it was driven by a small number of people who have a thoughtless habit of disclosing real names. I'm only asking for people to use common sense in what they post. Many people make a conscious effort not to share their real name online/publicly....I feel strongly that "name-droppers" show a distinct lack to respect when they thoughtlessly disclose information I don't choose to disclose or want disclosed. It can & has led to some unwelcome contacts. IMO & experience, it's not safe & I don't want ANYONE who knows my true identity to reveal it publicly....whether they happened to stumble across it accidentally or if I shared it with them privately. On more than one occasion, people who know me have asked me if it's okay to give my name/contact information to someone whose asked about me. I sincerely appreciate that; it shows they respect my privacy as well as my physical well-being.

I absolutely do not agree with your implication that my sharing my knowledge or experiences automatically opens the door for anyone in the world the right to know any personal information about me. If that day ever comes, it'll coincide with the last day I ever share my hard-fought-for knowledge publicly.

It may seem petty to you....but obviously, it's important to me.

Miss Legs.
First let me say that I agree with you. If I did not care about security I would use my real name there is a reason why I do not. Having been stalked and threatened by an internet crazy for well over a year I am gun shy to say the least.

Second after reading all of your post it seems to me that if you keep holding things in you are in danger of a stroke or heart attack .
Let it out. Let it go. Tell us how you really feel.

Stop holding back your feelings.

You mean you don't appreciate the restraint I use in my posts? I try not to leave much room for guess work or assumptions....& look where that gets me!

Sincere thanks for your understanding where I'm coming from! Sorry for what might have led up to gaining that understanding!

During a recent taste testing session, about 30 people gave me their real names and addresses. I did not think to put it in writing, but I would absolutely NEVER even consider sharing any of their information! The thought never crossed my mind. They took a chance to share it with me, and it is my responsibility, as a person and as a business owner, to protect that information.

I do sign some posts with my real first name, but I do not think the whole world needs access to anything more than that. On a public forum that any kind of troll can muck about in, if anyone needs more information than that, I can make that decision on a case-by-case basis.

Many here use a username that in itself does not reveal their real name (myself included). Most here know my name is Ron and at times refer to me by name in their posts. Hell, a few have told me that some troll has even posted my SA del Mar address somewhere online. Many here give their first name in their introduction posts and it is something that I honestly haven't been overly sensitive to up until now.

I suppose I need to go back now and take a look which ones have/haven't so as to make sure I don't step on any toes...

28 minutes later I've check all my posts. All those caps, bold face, large type and cartoons scared the crap out of me. That she makes a good point was incidental.

I think you're on to something, my friend.

I'd chalk that up to default font and default font size (which looks small compared to custom fonts) ....

and to custom fonts, font sizes and font colors which are "user set", all of which are available to every poster. The larger,colored fonts are definitely easier to read, but it makes the default font look small. Some may think the posters are "SHOUTING" or something, but I don't think that's the case.

Maybe their screens are small so they use a larger font to make it easier to see. And the colored fonts..........probably just a fun thing.

Here's a sample of the fun things available---

with regards to another poster, just using this as an example-

iflyfishwithpowerbaitcuzihavenopatience


themachinerules

and a basic not quite TimesRoman but close...


can't get back to the default print, ...uh ho....MEDIC....MEDIC...


nowican'tgetbacktothedefaultfont


I think folks are enjoying the creative freedom available on this site. The larger fonts and colors are a creative "signature" for some. Just because it's 3x larger than the default font, don't take it as an affront, They're not "shouting", it's their normal font size and color they have set in their custom settings.

uhohhh...was that hijacking?!? (HEY< here's the default font! :) )

pleasedon'tbanmepleasedon'tbanme...

Oh Leggy One
If anyone is stalking you let me know.
I am not called the Avenger for nothing.

Of course nothing worthwhile is free so yes there is a fee for my services.

There is a reason why people use something other than their real name to interact on the internet.
I will say that you did come on a little strong in your first post. Not the best way to win friends and influence people. You did get your point across but a broom instead of a sledgehammer would have worked also.

Originally Posted by Avenger

Oh Leggy One
If anyone is stalking you let me know.
I am not called the Avenger for nothing.

Of course nothing worthwhile is free so yes there is a fee for my services.

.

Now THAT is pest control!

That's amazing. Someone joins a community, becomes the number one prolific poster, bores hell out of others in the community with inflexible construction suggestions and progress fotos and wants her identity kept a secret.
What is this place....AA?

Thanks Avenger, but something tells me you services are out of my price range! If it's okay with you, think I'll just keep my sledgehammer within reach!

Paranoia, anyone ????????

Originally Posted by ncampion

Paranoia, anyone ????????

You are either very naive or have never experienced the attacks and threats of violence by some of the nuts on the internet.

Until you have had that experience it might be best not to pass judgment on those that have.

Originally Posted by ncampion

Paranoia, anyone ????????

I am aware of 5 members of this forum that have been victims of internet crazies on other forums.

Go ahead and post all your personal information and see if you stay lucky and do not get stalked.